Classic Romania Tour (small group)

Welcome to Romania! Upon arrival, our tour guide will pick you up from the airport and will take you to Bucharest.

The city of Bucharest is a place where the Western and Eastern cultures mix together beautifully. Beyond this exotic mix, one can instantly feel the inescapable marks left by the communist regime on the city. The most distinctive building dating back to the communist regime is the Palace of the Parliament. Please be informed that at the moment Palace of the Parliament cannot be visited, as they are closed until June. The attraction will be replaced with Spring Palace.

Also known as the People's House, the impressive edifice entered the Guinness world records as the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon. While going through its huge and imposing marble rooms lit by chandeliers we’ll learn some of the grim details about its construction.

Next on our agenda is a sightseeing tour of Bucharest’s Old Town, which shelters several architectural gems and representative buildings.

Overnight in Bucharest.

Breakfast.

Our first stop for the day is at the legendary Curtea de Arges Monastery, located at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. Afterwards, we will take a road trip through the Olt Valley and enjoy the beautiful scenery before reaching Cozia Monastery, a true symbol of Romania's art and architecture.

Elected as the European Cultural Capital in 2007, Sibiu has a particular charm created by blending historic architecture with multicultural elements. Built by German settlers in the 12th century, the city was ruled for several generations by the most influential guilds. The city tour includes the Old Town whose attraction is the Main Square sheltering the Brukenthal Museum and the Roman Catholic Cathedral, and it continues with Huet Square where we’ll visit the Evangelical Church.

Afterward, we’ll go through the passage of stairs and cross the famous Bridge of Lies.

Overnight in Sibiu.

Breakfast.

The next destination of our tour is the rural replica of Sibiu – Sibiel – a quaint Transylvanian village appraised as one of the most authentic and well-preserved rural areas in Europe.

Our tour continues with the largest medieval fortress in Romania, Alba Carolina. Surrounded by 12 km of walls and shaped like a star, the fortress was successively a Roman fort, a fortress during the Middle Ages and a Vauban type citadel with bastions.

Next, we will visit the Turda Salt Mine, a spectacular and unique site with a very peculiar form. This huge subterranean cave carved in salt was called one of the coolest underground theme parks in the world, and it is equipped with a mini-golf course, bowling alleys, ping pong tables, a Ferris wheel, and even an underground lake.

At night we will reach the largest city in Transylvania, Cluj-Napoca, proclaimed city of the arts.

Overnight in Cluj-Napoca.

Breakfast.

The first hours of the day will be devoted to a city tour of Cluj. St Michael’s Gothic Cathedral overlooking the city’s central square comes first on our list of attractions, followed by the Banffy Palace, the former City Hall, and the peculiar Mirror Street.

From Cluj, we will be heading to the north-west of Romania, to Maramureș – a region resembling a fascinating open-air museum. Lacking rights and privileges for hundreds of years, the dwellers of these places have managed to overcome hardship by following two simple rules: live your life to the full and cherish, above all, the richness of the soul.

The people of Maramureș are renowned for their hospitality and their traditional wooden houses are a living part of their history. We will visit Breb, one of the best preserved traditional villages from Maramures and explore the locals' way of living by coming in direct contact with them and visiting an authentic house.

Not far from Sighet – our final destination – is Săpînţa, the world’s one and only community with a merry cemetery. The wood carved crosses painted in bright colors display witty, humorous quatrains inspired by the lives of those who are no longer with us.

Romanian traditional dinner and folkloric show.

Overnight in Sighetu Marmatiei.

Breakfast.

In the morning we’ll visit two ancient wooden churches that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Fund: Poienile Izei (Iza Meadows) and Bârsana, the latter being one of the largest Orthodox architectural ensembles in Romania. Perfected across generations, the art of woodcarving remains the chief craft of the local community, as we shall see in the workshop of a local artisan. After his presentation, you’ll be able to buy unique hand-made souvenirs.

Today you will have the opportunity to taste the local products in one of the most picturesque and well-preserved regions in Romania. The locals still use their own harvest from their garden to make delicious dishes.

In the evening we will reach Târgu Mureș, a city recognized for its ethnic and cultural diversity.

Overnight in Targu Mures.

Breakfast.

We will reach Biertan, the largest Fortified Church in Transylvania built by the Saxons in the sixteenth century and nowadays listed as UNESCO monument.

An important highlight of the tour is Sighișoara, considered the only medieval fortress within UNESCO that’s currently inhabited. Walking up the winding cobblestone streets lined with historic buildings, we reach the Clock Tower, a symbol of the city, atop of which you can admire the breathtaking views. The Tower shelters a museum of medieval weapons and the chamber of torture. After visiting the tower we’ll climb the three hundred wooden steps up to the Church-on-the-Hill, built in the XIV century.

Fascinated by life in the countryside and the peaceful atmosphere of this Transylvanian village, Prince Charles restored one of the traditional houses, making it the place where he returns every year in May. After a short walk through the village, prepare for a very special activity: an authentic horse-drawn carriage ride that will take you through the village and its surroundings. We guarantee that this is, by far, the best way to enjoy the peaceful village and its amazing scenery.

At night we will reach Brașov, a city founded by the Teutonic Knights.

Overnight in Brasov.

Breakfast.

In Brașov, we’ll walk on one of the narrowest streets in the world and cross the Council Square to admire the Gothic cathedral, famously called The Black Church.

Our itinerary includes the famous Bran Castle, which became known as one of the world’s spookiest places under the name of Dracula's Castle. It was built in the 13th century, set strategically atop a 60-meter cliff, towering over the most important access route into Transylvania.

We’ll reach this small but eye-catching mountain resort that rose to fame mostly thanks to the royal family who chose it as their royal residence in the 20th century. Our first stop will be the Orthodox Monastery in Sinaia, continuing with the Peleș Castle, the splendid Gothic style castle built by the first King of Romania, Carol I of Hohenzollern.

In the evening we will reach Bucharest.

Overnight in Bucharest.

Breakfast and check out.

The last day of the Classic Romania Tour.

The airport transfer will take place according to schedule.